Mole Calculations for Ethane Combustion: Producing CO2 in a Stoichiometric Reaction

Introduction to Ethane Combustion and Stoichiometry

In this article, we will explore the process of combustion of ethane (C2H6) in an excess of oxygen (O2) and how to calculate the number of moles of CO2 produced from a given amount of ethane. We'll also balance the chemical equation and use stoichiometric principles to determine the relevant quantities.

Chemical Equation and Stoichiometry

The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of ethane is:

(1) 2C2H6 7O2 → 4CO2 6H20

This equation tells us that 2 moles of ethane react with 7 moles of oxygen to produce 4 moles of carbon dioxide and 6 moles of water. We can use this information to perform mole calculations.

Using Molar Mass and Moles to Determine CO2 Production

Let's consider a scenario where 5.70 moles of ethane are burned completely in an excess of oxygen. We want to determine how many moles of CO2 are produced.

From the balanced equation (1) above, we see that 2 moles of ethane produce 4 moles of CO2. Therefore, the mole ratio of ethane to CO2 is 2:4 or simply 1:2.

Calculations:

Moles of CO2 (2 mol CO2 / 2 mol C2H6) × (5.70 mol C2H6)

5.70 mol CO2

Thus, 5.70 moles of ethane will produce 5.70 moles of CO2 when burned in an excess of oxygen.

Alternatively, we can use the molar masses and mass calculations to confirm:

Molar Masses:

Molar mass of ethane (C2H6) 2 × 12.011 g/mol (C) 6 × 1.008 g/mol (H) 30.0658 g/mol

Molar mass of CO2 12.011 g/mol (C) 2 × 15.999 g/mol (O) 44.0095 g/mol

Moles of Ethane:

Moles of ethane mass of ethane / molar mass of ethane

30.0 g / 30.0658 g/mol 0.9981 mol

Moles of CO2:

Moles of CO2 (4 mol CO2 / 2 mol C2H6) × (0.9981 mol C2H6)

1.9962 mol CO2

Mass of CO2:

Mass of CO2 moles of CO2 × molar mass of CO2

1.9962 mol × 44.0095 g/mol 88.859 g

Hence, the mass of CO2 produced is approximately 88.86 grams.

General Principles for Ethane Combustion

The general principles of combustion involve a substance (in this case, ethane) reacting with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water, along with the release of energy. Understanding the ratios given by the balanced equation is crucial for calculations involving different amounts of reactants and products.

Key Takeaways:

1 mol of ethane produces 2 mol of CO2. 2 mol of ethane produces 4 mol of CO2. 5.70 mol of ethane produces 5.70 mol of CO2. Mass of CO2 produced from 5.70 mol of ethane is 88.86 g.

Conclusion

By understanding and applying the principles of stoichiometry, we can accurately calculate the amount of CO2 produced from the combustion of ethane. These calculations are fundamental in chemistry and relevant across various industrial and environmental applications.

Maintaining accuracy in these calculations is crucial for ensuring proper environmental management and adherence to regulations concerning emissions control.